Picture: Former employee of Home Affairs, Dawn Celeste Pieterson/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
30 January 2026 – Former Home Affairs employee, Dawn Celeste Pieterson (46), was sentenced to five years imprisonment for fraud by the Calvinia Specialised Commercial Crime Court. This comes after Pieterson was found guilty on all nine counts of fraud, read with the provisions of section 99, 103, and 224 of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1977, as well as two counts of Contravention of Section 31 (1) (d) of Birth and Death Registration Act 51 of 1992.
The Hawks in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe said Pieterson’s misdeeds took place between February 2019 and September 2022, when the accused person was an employee of the Department of Home Affairs based in Calvinia. Thebe said as part of her duties, she had access to the national population register.
“Pieterson took funeral covers from reputable insurance companies and nominated herself as a beneficiary. To benefit, she manipulated the national population register by falsely issuing BI-1663 forms (notice of death form) to reflect the fictitious death of the victims. The system registered the affected persons as deceased, resulting in a plethora of problems in the victims’ day-to-day lives.
“Four insurance companies suffered a combined loss of R334 634 as a result of unlawful funeral claims. On charges of fraud, the accused was sentenced to five years direct imprisonment. On contravention of the Birth and Death Registration Act taken together for sentencing, the accused was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment wholly suspended for five years,” he said.
Thebe said the accused was further declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Steven Mabuela, commended the great effort of the investigation and prosecution team.
30 January 2026- Former Municipal Manager of Phokwane Local Municipality, Advocate Matshidiso Cordelia (53), was found guilty for fraud by the Kimberley Serious Commercial Crimes Court. Cordelia was found guilty on charges of fraud and Contravention of Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2023.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe said during 2018, Cordelia while serving as the Municipal Manager of Phokwane Local Municipality, she issued instructions to the Municipal Payroll Accountant for payment of car and travel allowance to 13 employees without following the applicable procedures. Thebe said Cordelia disregarded the moratorium of the municipal council that was in place at that time with her unlawful instruction.
“In addition, she unlawfully increased her remuneration package and implemented a 4% rural allowance without informing council or obtaining authorization from the Northern Cape MEC of COGSTA as required.
“All increases were backdated to July 2017, resulting in the municipality suffering substantial losses. The matter is postponed to 8 April 2026, for pre- sentencing report and sentencing,” he said.
Picture: The Namakwa District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Schalk Andrews visits Radio Kaboesna/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
30 January 2026- The Namakwa District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Schalk Andrews rolled out his “Meet and Greet” programme utilizing local community radio stations as a mouthpiece to reach communities, especially those situated in rural and far reaching areas. This week, Andrews visited Radio Kaboesna, which is based in Calvinia.
He was accompanied by the Namakwa District police spokesperson, Captain Ivan Magerman and the Vispol Station Commander, Warrant Officer Hantie Hawksley. Adrews further said it was their first visit and one of many regular engagements on the community radio station’s airwaves, marking a new chapter in community police relations in the Boberg area of Namakwa District.
“Henceforth, SAPS will broadcast every Thursday at 6pm, utilizing the platform to educate communities, combat crime through public awareness, and enhance the corporate image of SAPS in the Namakwa region. A key feature of this initiative is the establishment of the Kaboesna-SAPS Helpdesk, which will provide community members with a confidential channel to report complaints and crime anonymously.
“The help desk underscores the police’s commitment to accessible, transparent and responsive policing. During the broadcast, Brigadier Andrews expressed his gratitude to Radio Kaboesna Station Management for providing this valuable airtime and opportunity to be part of the partnership policing strategy allowing media to assist and participate in crime fighting using the media platform,” he added.
Andrews also urged Calvinia residents and communities covered in the broadcasting range, to actively participate in the fight against crime by joining Community Policing Forum (CPF) structures, the Youth Against Crime initiative and the Community in Blue Patrollers structures. He cited that, it is one of his best practices to bring the community closer to the SAPS and being able to address complaints immediately, provide feedback to complainants and solve the crime in a short time period if possible, following all the processes.
Picture: A truck and taxi involved in a horrific accident
By OBAKENG MAJE
29 January 2026- KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma said the truck that was involved in a horrific accident against a taxi in Lotus Park, Isipingo, south of Durban on Thursday morning, where 11 people died, had worn-out tyres. Duma said it is illegal to be driving with worn tyres.
He further said owners of the truck must face consequences for only focusing on maximizing profit and not ensuring the roadworthiness of the truck. Duma added that the PrDP for the taxi driver has expired in 2023.
“The taxi had between 17 to 18 passengers. Three victims were taken to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital, while other three victims were taken to Prince Mshiyeni Hospital. One victim was taken to eThekwini Hospital,” he said.
29 January 2026- On 13 July 2025, the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System. This followed serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi about the existence and operation of a sophisticated criminal syndicate that has allegedly infiltrated the criminal justice system in South Africa.
Ramaphosa spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya said the Commission, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice, Mbuyiseli Madlanga, assisted by Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC and Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC, submitted its interim report on 17 December 2025, in line with the delivery timelines that had been determined by the President. Magwenya said Ramaphosa has studied the interim report and accepts its recommendations.
“Ramaphosa further welcomes the referrals by the Commission of matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution, as well as recommendations on the employment status and recommended suspension of individuals.
“The Commission, in accordance with its terms of reference, makes several referrals concerning matters that require immediate further investigation by the relevant and impacted law enforcement institutions, including criminal investigations,” he said.
Magwenya further said the Commission also makes recommendations in some instances for disciplinary measures to be taken against individuals alleged to be involved in wrongdoing, including criminal acts and corruption. He added that Clause 7 of the Commission’s Terms of Reference empowers the Commission to “consider prima facie evidence relating to the involvement of individuals currently employed within law enforcement or intelligence agencies and, where appropriate, the Commission must make recommendations regarding the employment status of such officials including whether they should be suspended pending the outcome of further investigations.
“Clause 10.4 provides the Commission with the “power to refer matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution, taking into account the nature of the allegations and evidence the Commission will uncover.
“Clause 12 states that “the Commission shall, where appropriate, refer any matter for prosecution, further investigation or the convening of a separate enquiry to the appropriate law enforcement agency, government department or regulator,” said Magwenya.
He said Ramaphosa expects all law enforcement agencies and other relevant criminal justice institutions to act with speed in implementing the recommendations of the Commission’s interim report. Magwenya said such immediate action will help to restore public trust and strengthen operational capacity in the affected state entities tasked with fighting crime and corruption.
“Where the Commission has said that there is prima facie evidence of wrongdoing, it has made referrals for investigation by the appropriate officials in the South African Police Service, Independent Police Investigative Directorate or the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
“The referrals relate to SAPS officials such as Major General Lesetja Senona, Major General Richard Shibiri, Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu, Brigadier Rachel Matjeng and Sergeant Fannie Nkosi.
“Prima facie evidence of wrongdoing was also found by the Commission with regard to the following current and former employees of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, suspended EMPD Chief of Police Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi, EMPD Officer, Bafana Twala, EMPD Officer, Aiden McKenzie, EMPD Officer, Kershia Leigh Stols and EMM former City Manager Dr Imogen Mashazi,” said Magwenya.
He said this includes, EMM fleet manager/proxy, Chris Steyn, EMM Head of Department of Human Resources, Linda Gxasheka, EMM Head of Legal, Adv Kemi Behari and Etienne van der Walt. Magwenya said the matters highlighted for referral concern allegations of criminality, corruption, fraud, murder, perjury and other unlawful actions by officials and officers in the employ of the South African Police Service, City of Ekurhuleni and the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department.
“Where IPID is already seized with certain matters, the Commission will make a referral to IPID on the status of their investigations and seek explanations for any delays. Ramaphosa has noted that some of the implicated individuals will return to the Commission to respond to allegations presented against them and that more witnesses are yet to deliver their evidence.
“While the Commission emphasises that, with the exception of EMPD Chief, Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi, it has not yet heard the response of some of the relevant persons listed above, the allegations against them remain prima facie allegations only and are not findings of the Commission,” he said.
Magwenya said the nature of these allegations however warrants the referrals for further investigation and potential disciplinary, prosecutorial or regulatory action right away. He said Ramaphosa has directed the Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia and General Fannie Masemola, the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service to constitute a special investigations task team, with a leader who will report directly to Masemola.
“The task team will institute investigations against people identified by the Commission for investigation. Establishing a special unit is critical to ensure that these investigations take place as a matter of urgency.
“Ramaphosa would like to express his deepest appreciation to the Commission chairperson, retired Justice Madlanga, Commissioners Baloyi and Khumalo and to all the Commission staff for their diligent work in the delivery of the interim report,” said Magwenya.
29 January 2026- North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie has extended her condolences to the family of Moserwane following a gruesome death of their daughter in Popo Molefe – Siza Section at Sunrise Park, in Rustenburg on Tuesday. Dantjie said according to the preliminary report from GBV social workers, the alleged perpetrator killed her long time wife and covered her with blankets.
She further said when his two children came back from school they discovered the lifeless body of their mother lying on the bed. Dantjie added that the distraught children informed their uncle about the ordeal.
“This is a tragic loss that highlights the ongoing violence perpetuated against women. Gender based violence is a serious concern. It is painful that women and children continue to lose their lives, often at the hands of people close to them.
“I call on men to refrain from solving problems by causing harm to women. Men must seek professional help and stop resorting to violence. Currently, we are providing funding to men-led organisations to enable them to reach out to men and create a space where men and boys can talk about what they are suffering from, without being judged for being insensitive,” she said.
Dantjie said men and boys should be active in the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). She said GBV social workers have been dispatched to offer trauma counselling to the affected family and provide them with any type of psychosocial support.
Meanwhile, Dantjie has called on law enforcement agencies to bring the alleged perpetrator to book at a brisker pace.
Setshwantsho: Monna o nyeletseng, Selaotswe Modisagaarekwe/Facebook
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
29 Ferikgong 2026- Baagi ba kwa motseng wa Mokgareng, gaufi le Taung, ba boloditse letsholo-patlo. Se, se tla morago ga go nyelela ga monna mongwe wa teng kwa motseng o.
Go ya ka dipego, Selaotswe Modisagaarekwe (45), one a nyelela fa kgwedi ya Ferikgong e tlhola matsatsi a le 23, mono ngwaga.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Constable Thuto Bobelo are sepodisi se a itse ka go nyelela ga ga Modisagaarekwe. Bobelo are go begwa fa Modisagaarekwe a ne a le kwa legaeng la gagwe, fela moragonyana, ba lelapa la gagabo ba ile ba lemoga fa a seo.
“Go ne go sena matshwao ape a shupang gore Modisagarekwe o ka tswa a ile kae. Go begwa fa a sa itekanela sentle mo tlhaloganyong, mme one a apere borokgwe jo bo pududu, sekipa se se botala jo bo tseneletseng le bontsho, ga mmogo le diteki tsa modiro wa Puma fa a ne a nyelela.
“Go ile ga bolodiwa letsholo-patlo gone ka Labotlhano o. Gape letsholo-patlo le ile la bolodiwa ka Labobedi, fela maiteko ao a ile a itaya sefololetsa. Go na le thulaganyo e e dirilweng go ka tlisa sepodisi sa dipitsi ga mmogo le dintja go ka thusa mo letsholo-patlong leo,” Bobelo wa tlhalosa.
Go begwa fa bangwe ba baagi ba ile ba bona motho mongwe o kgale a batliwa fa ba ne ba boloditse letsholo-patlo. Fela Bobelo o ganeditse magatwe ao.
Bobelo are bone jaaka sepodisi, tshedimosetso e ga ya ba fitlhelela.
Kgabagare, baagi ba rulagantse kopano ya thapelo kwa lelapeng la ga Modisagaarekwe mo letsatsing la kamoso. Baagi ba re kopano eo, e tla tshwarwa ka ura ya borataro maitseboa, mme go memilwe baeteledipele ba ba farologaneng jaaka baruti ba di kereke ga mmogo le dingaka.
Picture: Scholar transport impounded in North West/Generic
By AGISANANG SCUFF
29 January 2026- The North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management said it has met with concerned operators, who render scholar transport services privately. This follows discontent raised by some operators in and around Mahikeng due to their vehicles being impounded during recent law enforcement operations.
The Head of Department (HoD), Dr Hans Kekana said since the re-opening of the schools three weeks ago, his department embarked upon operations across the province, focusing mainly on contraventions such as speeding, roadworthiness and overloading of transportations carrying learners. Kekana said that many of the vehicles that were impounded were found to be operating illegally, with vehicles that have defects or not contravening legislation that classifies vehicles for public transport services.
“The department is of the view that there is a significant knowledge gap generally amongst unorganised scholar operators regarding regulation in the sector along with requirements to acquire necessary operating licenses (OL) and Professional Driver Permit (PrDP).
“The meeting afforded an opportunity to close that gap. We have come to realise that many of the vehicles operating as private scholar transport, do not fall within the allocated categories in terms of the National Land Transport Act as well as the Road Traffic Act,” he said.
Kekana further said the operators also conceded that they were not aware of the requirements as per the regulations. He added that, therefore, encourages anyone who wants to operate within the sector, to do so by following the right procedures in order to be legally recognised and permitted.
“The department reiterates its stance on non-conditional business standards by operators ferrying the public as well as the learners. As the department, we will continue to enforce the law, where there is an offence being committed, the necessary corrective measures will apply. We have adopted a zero-tolerance approach, so that we avoid situations that compromise the safety of passengers.
“It therefore becomes very important for operators to empower themselves and to do research about the sector and all its legislation, to organise and collaborate with others through recognised associations and ensure that the service they render is efficient, effective and lawful,” said Kekana.
He said the department furthermore implores parents to ensure that operators procured privately to transport learners are within the law in the interests of learner safety. Kekana said they are making a call to parents to support our awareness programmes that are aligned to learner safety.
“This will empower them with valuable insight as and when they source service providers for scholar transportation,” he said.
29 January 2026- Government Communication and Information Service (GCIS) said it is hosting country-wide community activities as part of raising and educating the public on the State of the Nation Address (SONA) and what the public can expect to hear from the President’ speech.
The GCIS said SONA is an annual event, in which the President of South Africa addresses the nation on the programmes of government.
Ndlelantle Pinyana who is Chief Director: Provincial and Local Liaison in the GCIS said the address is delivered at a Joint Sitting of Parliament, including both the National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) and focuses on the current political and socio-economic state of the nation. Pinyana said the speech marks the opening of the Parliamentary programme and attracts interest from various stakeholders nationally and internationally as it sets the government agenda for the forthcoming year.
“GCIS in collaboration with other stakeholders will host outreaches in the form of activations, community media engagements, dialogues (i.e. Access to Information, Community Radio, Community TV, Mall and Taxi Rank Activations, Road Intersection Activations, School Activation, support to Mayors and Provincial State of the Provincial Address), as well as Public Educations sessions and civic education awareness to encourage the public to participate and follow the 2026 SONA through mainstream media, and online and digital platforms.
“GCIS will also be encouraging the public to comment on what they would want the President to say during his speech and subsequent SONA reply to the debate post SONA,” he said.
Pinyana further said the outreaches aim to encourage members of the public to participate in the upcoming SONA by watching TV, listening to community media or being part of the event through social media by following #SoNA2026 on various social media platforms. He added that the outreaches will also be encouraging and collation of data from the public on what they expect the government and the President to urgently address.
29 January 2026- The Galeshewe SAPS Social Crime Prevention Section jointly with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) hosted an awareness campaign focusing on Domestic Violence and GBVF related issues at the Shoprite Shopping Centre in Barkly Road in Kimberley on 29 January 2026. The multi-disciplinary integrated team from the Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS) comprising of the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, Social Crime, and various sections within the NPA such as Sexual Offences Community Affairs, Community Prosecution, Maintenance Office and Entity Thuthuzela Care Centre.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane said the Galeshewe Crime Prevention and Galeshewe Sectors, SAPS Women’s Network and Safety Participants rendered services to the community and the shoppers using the SAPS Mobile Community Service Centre (CSC) that was parked at the Centre’s parking lot, bringing service closer to the communities. Shemane said the multi-disciplinary teams engaged community members and shoppers and distributed information pamphlets.
“This type of engagement brings stakeholders together in an effort to sensitize community members about GBVF related incidents as it was declared by the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa as a national disaster.
“Furthermore, the team distributed and shared safety hints on the prevention of human trafficking, substance abuse, pedestrian safety, domestic violence and other safety measures,” he said.
Shemane further said SAPS in the Northern Cape together with the JCPS cluster, remains committed in serving its communities by proactively engaging them and taking their safety into consideration.
The Guardian 